The United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization state that the current security situation is extremely challenging and local populations continue to be displaced.
In view of this, ground preparation has been undertaken on a small scale so that vaccination campaigns can be conducted despite displacement and population decline. Earlier, the first dose of vaccine was given to children in the first round in September.
More than 200 groups had been preparing for the second phase since October 23, but it has been delayed by Israeli bombing and airstrikes, ground clashes and a lack of assurances of a humanitarian cessation of hostilities.
Polio was eradicated in Gaza 25 years ago, but there have been several health crises during the Gaza war, and the polio virus was found in a 10-month-old child this year. This was followed by a rapid vaccine campaign in Israeli-occupied Gaza.
Restrictions remain in place
UN agencies have warned that it may not be possible for health workers to administer the last dose of the vaccine to every child.
The final plan is to vaccinate 119,000 children under the age of 10, but in some areas it is difficult to reach violence-affected populations and there are restrictions on movement.
Despite not being able to cover every child in northern Gaza, it was decided to resume the operation.
The aim is to give the vaccine dose to as many children as possible and avoid delays. Also, the population reaching Gaza City and other areas from northern Gaza will be covered.
At least 90 percent of children in a community need to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of the polio virus, but this target appears difficult to achieve under current circumstances.
Stopped due to humanitarian reasons
It said the ceasefire period has been extended by two hours for humanitarian reasons and will now run from 6 am to 4 pm. During this period, there are plans to give vitamin A to children aged two to 10 years to boost their immunity.
Earlier, both phases of vaccination were successfully completed in central and southern Gaza, where more than four and a half million children were vaccinated. This is 96 percent of the total target in these areas.
If there is more than six weeks between the first and second dose, the effect of the dose is reduced and immunity is reduced.